Air Boss
$255.00

In Stock

In stock orders ship same day if received by 4:00 PM Mountain Standard Time!

One Bag Travel! Air Boss.

The only carry-on bag you'll ever need.

Designed for the business traveler, the popular five star-rated carry-on travel bag is a must-have for anyone who enjoys the many advantages of traveling light: freedom of movement, less time wasted waiting in lines, no lost luggage, easy access, and overall travel simplification. Peruse over 700 customer reviews right here from hundreds of satisfied Air Boss Carry-on customers to get an honest idea if this is the best travel bag for you.

EXPERT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT.
Follow the link to learn Doug Dyment's bundle wrapping technique so you can fit everything you need and nothing you don't in your Air Boss airline carry-on bag to become a more organized happier traveller. Thanks to guideance from Onebag.com, here's a fantastic luggage packing diagram, showing you how to easily "bundle wrap" your clothing in the Air Boss.

WRINKLE-FREE TRAVEL.
Designed with three large main compartments, our Air Boss carry-on bag also features two outside zippered pockets; one full-length, one for your airline tickets, an outside sleeve pocket, and tie downs inside the two outer compartments to keep your belongings in position and wrinkle-free until you can unpack and hang them up at your destination.

A SPACIOUS PLACE FOR YOUR BELONGINGS.
The center compartment is spacious enough to hold your Toiletries, extra shoes, work-out gear, business briefcase, etc. Volara closed-cell foam padding is sewn into the sides, so you've got a rigid, yet flexible, piece of carry-on luggage that still protects your valuable belongings.

NEVER SLIPS OFF.
Includes detachable nonslip Claw Shoulder Strap that keeps your bag where you want it - on your shoulder.

DISCOVER HOW TO PACK IT.
Watch the Air Boss Packing Video posted in the Videos tab at left where Red Oxx Ambassador Kasey Austin shows how to use many of the bag's thoughtful features.

PROTECT YOUR LAPTOP.
Looking for extra protection for your laptop? A neoprene laptop sleeve is recommended. A "macho" option is to put it in a Metro Briefcase, which will then fit in the center compartment of the Air Boss, adding further protection and giving you a "one bag" travel option...with two bags inside one. Note that this can become a very heavy bag to carry if you decide to try this. Adding an extra Claw Shoulder Strap from your Metro and then carrying the Air Boss "backpack style" (one strap over each shoulder) can help offset this added load.

A BUSINESS TRAVEL BAG BUILT LIKE A TANK?
Our customers like to define our gear as "built like a tank". While obviously you're not going to be toting around bags that weigh 50 tons and have three inches of armor plate, still the comparison is valid. For a carry-on bag, the Air Boss is built tough. Starting with the most durable, flexible, and practical textile material available -- 1000 weight CORDURA® Brand Nylon, the Air Boss is built using super-strong UV-resistant thread that's stitched into every seam.

BOUND AND BAGGED.
Places where two separate pieces of fabric are stitched together are then bound -- that is, we take a long piece of one-inch wide nylon webbing and fold it over the edges of the two pieces and stitch them together, this creates a strong seam, known as a binding, that prevents the pieces from unraveling on the inside of the bag, or gives it a clean, finished look if on the outside of the bag.

BINDING INSIDE / BINDING OUTSIDE.
In addition, each exposed outside fabric edge, such as on a pocket flap, is also bound using a thicker binding material. Inside edges typically receive a thinner nylon webbing, whereas outside corner edges that are exposed to heavy wear have a thicker nylon binding. All of our binding material is vertically woven to prevent the fraying, peeling or splitting that you may commonly see in competitors carry-on bags that brag of "binding" their edges.

WHY DOUBLE BOX STITCHING?
Each stress point, such as where the handles attach to the bag, is double box stitched - which is where we get the "double XX" in our name, Red Oxx; a stitching practice we adapted from our history as parachute riggers.

MY, WHAT BIG ZIPPERS YOU HAVE!
The reason Red Oxx uses the largest zipper we can afford, the #10 YKK VISLON® zipper, is that they're easily repairable, even in the field; they will hold their place, that is, they "lock"; they are difficult to penetrate, thereby increasing the security of your belongings; they function smoothly in inclement weather, and they can be yanked from a variety of angles without losing teeth or becoming separated.

PUTTING THE HARD IN HARDWARE.
Red Oxx has occasionally been accused of "overdoing" our hardware. But once you've had a cheap piece of plastic "hardware" break in the middle of a busy intersection, airport or other inconvenient locale dumping your precious belongings all over the ground, having a heavy-duty nickel-plated or stainless steel D ring or attachment swivel that weighs just a tiny bit more, or might make a little noise, is a travel companion's confidence builder and peace-of-mind maker. After all, you want to enjoy your journey as best you can. Why worry about having your Air Boss break down?

IS THERE ANOTHER CARRY BAG OPTION?
Looking for a similar carry-on bag but with retractable backpack style shoulder straps? Try our other popular travel bag, the Sky Train.

Join the fleet feet crowd and travel carry-on with the Commander of the ship: the Air Boss!

PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY!
Due to high demand, you're encouraged to place your order now to get your Air Boss on our production schedule. Your bag will then be shipped in under 14 days. Like retirement, it's worth the wait.

Online orders will receive an order confirmation email, a UPS tracking information email when your order ships and a product review request follow-up email eight weeks after delivery. In addition, backorders beyond a dozen working days may receive an order follow-up assurance email. During checkout purchasers have the option to opt-out of our quartly email newsletter. Your email address is always secure.

Air Boss Trivia:On the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, the Air Boss is in charge of all the operations of the flight deck. He controls the moving of planes on deck, landing of aircraft, launching aircraft, ordinance handling, and safety of all the personnel occupying the flight deck. The Air Boss oversees from the command tower. Orders are communicated with the flight deck via megaphone. Ex: "Hey brownshirt. Get out of that checked baggage line and on the plane, now!"

We were pleased at how quickly the Air Boss arrived at our door. We have yet to take a trip with it, but are anxious to try it out. It appears to be exactly as described and very well built.

Best carry on I have ever had

By Mike Nesbit, Sandy, Utah , November 18, 2011

The Bag arrived quickly and in time for a three day trip to Providence, RI - packed light - there were pockets and places for everything I needed - no problem with overheads - this is the best bag I have ever purchased - I will be adding to this one shortly

I really like this bag

By Bill Canady , Iowa, November 17, 2011

Solid bag. I travel about 200k miles a year for my job. I bought this bag because they keep taking my carry on in Europe. They have really strict weight requirements on carry ons. When they take my bag, they typically damage it. So i biught this to combat the "bag police". My last trip was to China, so I took it with me. Worked great. Looked good. Easy to fit in all of the overheads

On the down side, I did get tired of carrying it though O'hare and PuDong. I also missed the ability to hang my coat on my pull luggage handle while I grab a quick bite to eat at the airports.

Like everything in life, there are trade offs.

I would recommend it.

Everything they said, and more!

By Jon West, Pittsburgh, November 17, 2011

I purchased this specifically for a 2-week trip to China, and it arrived the day before I left (very fast shipping!). When I opened the box, I thought "No way will this fit everything I need"..when empty, it is very flat and light. But sure enough, it accommodated everything I needed to pack.5 dress shirts, 5 pants, 2 jackets, jeans, underwear and socks, plus workout clothes and running shoes, and all of my work gear (2 cameras, audio equipment, external hard drives, etc). I breezed through the airports and the clothes were wrinkle-free when I arrived in Shanghai.

Had I known about the custom tailored clothes available in Shanghai, I probably wouldn't have packed anything at all. During my visit, I ended up purchasing 8 dress shirts, a sport coat, 3 heavy winter coats, and 12 long cashmere scarves. I was worried that I wouldn't have room, but the Air Boss was able to handle everything with ease. Its rugged build and heavy duty zippers may seem like overkill, but I'm really needed them this trip. Even with a heavy load, the Air Boss felt comfortable on my shoulder, too. I'm a believer!

Stuff it, stuff it some more...

By David G, NJ, USA, November 17, 2011

I purchased the Air Boss for a recent two week trip to India, and for future domestic travel.

I could not believe how much I was able to get into the Boss. A week's plus worth of clothes and other assorted travel supplies. On the way home it took all of that along with some souvenirs. There were times I swore there was no way I'd get it zipped closed for all the stuff in it, but every time those zippers worked as advertised.

Even fully loaded it was always easy to carry over the shoulder or in hand, and the lack of backpack straps didn't bother me. I had a regular backpack with me to use as a daily bag that also had some items for my trip, and I'm not about to try and use two bags with backpack straps (one in front and one in back).

For domestic travel I could easily get everything into the Air Boss and I'd still be fine with this in hand or over the shoulder.

Very, very pleased!

International champ

By Jamey, Wiesbaden, Germany, November 13, 2011

This bag has now endured four months of at least weekly travel by train and airplane and is versatile and perfectly sized. I've used it as my carry on for five international flights so far. It even fit in the smallest overhead compartment I have seen in a long time (Embraer jet). My seat-back essentials are all close at hand and in either the center compartment or the snapped side pocket, so I can stow it quickly and get comfy for those long trans-Atlantic flights. I live as a "geographic bachelor" during the week, and travel on weekends to stay with my family. This bag has held all my weekend needs, even for the four day holiday weekends. A couple of fellow travelers have asked about it and I wholeheartedly recommended it. Best carry on I've had in over 20 years of international travel.

Guatemala proof!

By Bob, Utah, November 10, 2011

This bag traveled first class by air and then went to the mountains of Guatemala 14 hours by bus. It kept my gear clean and bug free in a jungle environment. I especially like how two Eagle Creek organizing bags fit perfectly side by side in each compartment. Would suggest adding a key clip in the small compartment.

----------- Red Oxx replies: thanks for the compliments, have you tried using a Red Oxx Nomad or Lil Roy as a packing cube? Your Air Boss will thank you. We also sell a Pin Mount Key Clip you can mount anywhere you like.

Made my trip

By Iain, London, UK, November 10, 2011

Ordered on Sunday for international shipment to the UK. Arrived as scheduled Friday lunchtime, packed and boarded the plane 4 hours later on Friday afternoon just as the carrier was refusing any more roller cases as carry-ons. Brilliant, thanks Red Oxx, made my trip!

5 Year Check In

By Derek, Atlanta, GA, November 8, 2011

It's been over 5 years now with my AirBoss and it's still holding up strong.

I fly every week for work, usually 140+ flights a year and my AirBoss has held up very well, shows almost no signs of wear.

Because I want flexibly in my travel schedule, I never check luggage and the few times I've boarded the plane and they're out of room for 'other' bags, my soft-side AirBoss is welcomed aboard and tucked in a cozy niche somewhere. I will never use another bag.

Excellent Bag...with a few suggested enhancements

By Steve C., Houston, TX, November 4, 2011

Perfect bag for quick trips. I pack light, but have been able to accomidate enough for a 5-day trip (plus a separate carry-on). Quality = A+. Design = A+.

2. The ID carrier is a nice touch, but I'd also suggest figuring out a way of making it lighter.

Highly recommend!

Best Bag Ever

By Washington, UK, November 4, 2011

I just love this product. I've tried so many bags in the past and non off them have even come close to the quality. And the service of your company has been amazing.

Air Boss works!

By Bret, California, November 4, 2011

Overall, a good buy! Just got back from London. The Boss held up well as a carry on and as a checked bag. Expandable, and easy to carry. I'm satisfied.

I love it too

By Paul B., NYCLHR, October 31, 2011

I love it. I know thats what everyone else says, but I feel the same way. I think my favorite part is that the center compartment holds a laptop. That means that at the end of the week when I fly straight from the client's office back to home I can leave my briefcase and just use the red oxx. crucial for keeping weight down.

Just like it was adverstised

By Anonymous, Alaska, October 30, 2011

This is an excellent bag that provides a business like look and provides enough room for quick business trips and week-long vacations. The price seems expensive, but when I look at all the pieces of luggage that are broken, torn or I threw away this is worth it. I'll pay for quality and this clearly fits the bill.

I agree with others, that if you over pack and have to carry it a long distance it does get heavy.

I just finished a two week vacation with the family and we did it all with carry on. I'm sold this is the way to go.

No regrets on this purchase. It's not cheap, but the value is outstanding.

Happy with it

By Tero Toikka, Helsinki, Finland, October 30, 2011

I got the Airboss about a month ago and now had done two trips with it. First a four night conference and second was one week in Asia.

The bag is actually bigger than is needed for my clothes, PC and accessories. This has proven useful since having new materials and souvenirs from the distant location.

I am able to pack all clothes on the side compartments. Then running shoes and other things in the middle top loader compartment. From there it is convenient to take out PC for screening.

I also use a light weight PC sleeve on the location. If would need to gate check then collect all important items on it. The shoulder strap feels indestructable and I use it for the PC sleeve on the location.

I would consider another bag only if it would be even lesser weight.

The Best

By Peter Liron, Melville Western Australia, October 27, 2011

I have had many carry on bags over the years. At last I have the best one ever. I have just given my Air Boss a shake-down trip to Vietnam for eleven days. It carried everything that I needed and still had some room. I resisted the temptation to add more, keeping some space for souvenirs.

I purchased four Eagle Creek quarter cubes of different colours to stow all of my loose items and used the colours to identify what items were in which cube.

I put the cubes in the centre compartment, easy to get to, perfect!

I cannot complain about the shoulder strap. For me it was fine given the short distances that I had to carry the bag through airports. There are always trolleys available at airports if really needed.

The Air Boss is one tough bag and will easily see me to the end of my travelling days. It will be handed down to some lucky friend.

Business trips excluded, my next big trip is to South America next year. Would not consider going with anything other than my Air Boss. That's it, done deal, no Air Boss, no trip. and that's final.

----------- Red Oxx replies: thanks for the compliments, have you tried using a Red Oxx Nomad or Lil Roy as a packing cube? Mix and match in our 12 vibrant color system. Your Air Boss will thank you.

Air Boss Shoulder Strap

By Anonymous, Los Angeles, CA, October 27, 2011

Great bag, made things very easy, of course lot's of space for someone who is 6'4'. My wardrobe is a bit larger. I bought the red one in which is made t much easier to spot in the baggage claim area.

The only thing I would like better would be a broader shoulder strap, the weight of the bag made it dig in while walking with it.

Excellent Build Quality

By Rich Shadrin, Walden NY, October 27, 2011

Along with the shave kit I purchased the AIRBOSS to compliment the many rollaboards I've accumulated over the many years I had traveled for business.

Though skeptical about losing my wheels, I learned 2 lessons. Firstly the claims made about the bombproof construction is true and finally resist overpacking. The latter was a good lesson as I traveled outbound using all the folding techniques and a few tricks of my own and the back was light and well within its recommended packing dimensions. On the way back, loaded with too much 'stuff' I was still able to overhead rack it, but schlepping it across terminals at O'Hare made me wish for wheels. Mea culpa.

Lesson learned is pack much lighter than you need. Learn to be agile and since the whole world has gone casual that task has bccome easier. KI just had to learn the hard way. So pack, smart, light and use the AIRBOSS - I'm a convert.

Great Buy

By Chandler, Colorado, October 27, 2011

I got this bag anticipating a trip to China. And I am sure glad I decided on it. I was able to get a month of travel gear into it.

So I am sure glad I didn't have to figure out checked luggage at the same time. I would of sure had a bag get lost. Also I was bumped off my flight in Shanghai and had to hit a hotel. But I had everything I needed with me.

I got great service, bag is very well made and it was a perfect buying experience.

I've used it once ...

By Dave, Colorado Springs, October 25, 2011

I have tried a variety of bags for traveling. I hate most of them. The one I've kept coming back to is one that I got 20 years ago for free for answering a survey at a conference. It's 16x12x7, quite a bit smaller than the Air Boss, two zippered pockets on one side and a large open pocket on the other. There is one main compartment that unzips only about halfway. Its handles are uncomfortable on the hands and its shoulder strap is not much better. But it is convenient. It easily fits under the seat or in the overhead even of the miniature airplanes I frequently find myself on. I can pack clean business casual clothes for a week using it.

I read about the Air Boss on OneBag.com. I told my wife I wanted it and she and my daughter bought it for me for Father's Day. I haven't used it yet, but I've looked it over. It is assembled very well. It looks rugged.

I like the way it opens all the way so it won't flop closed when trying to use both hands putting clothes in. I like the tie-downs in the clothes compartments to keep my clothes tidier especially for a short trip when the bag is only lightly packed. I like the center compartment where I can stash my electronics; computer, GPS, iPod, headphones, chargers, etc. and get to them without opening the whole bag. I like the snap-wrap on the handles to give my hands some relief when carrying it. We'll see how the shoulder strap works, but it's fine when the bag is empty. :-)

It's bigger than I'm used to, so I'll need to be careful not to overpack.

OK. I've waited to post this review until I had actually used the Air Boss. I just completed a four-day business and pleasure trip. Once I had packed I weighed the bag and found that it was just under 23 pounds, but all I was taking was in one bag. This was four days worth of business casual attire (including shoes) plus netbook, GPS, camera and battery chargers for all.

My observations (YMMV):

I found the shoulder strap awkward, but it might improve with practice. I was wearing a jacket, but not zipped. The strap would start to grip lower on my shoulder than I wanted and it was difficult to get situated where it was comfortable and not pulling the jacket shoulder off of my shoulder.

Carrying the Air Boss in my hand was less comfortable than I'd hoped. I found that if I used the grippy part of the shoulder strap as a cushion my hands were happier.

I would lose things in the Air Boss's many pockets. I dropped my cell phone into a pocket before TSA and it took me ten minutes to find it again after screening. I still need to figure out where to put things so that I can easily locate them again.

Packing and unpacking are as easy as I had expected. I pack shirts, pajamas, underwear and socks in an Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder. It allows me to neatly fold and compress my clothes. I put the folder into one side and strapped it down. Then I folded pants, put then on the other side and strapped them down. The center section got shoes and the detritus of business travel plus the quart zipper bag of liquids and gels. There was still much more space ... I *was* trying to travel light. I could have packed for a week or more, but I'm not sure I would have been able to lift it. (When I got home I found that my local Costco store has a "personal hand truck" that weighs 7.5 pounds, can carry 150 pounds and folds flat for $20. Bungy cords from Lowes completes my set-up.)

Earlier I said the Air Boss is larger than the "free" bag I've used for 20+ years. It fits under the seat in front of you, but barely. All of my flights were completely full so there was no overhead compartment space. I'm a pretty big guy; 6'2", 250+ pounds. This cramps my foot room. I need to figure out how to deal with my computer and other high-value gear so that I can gate check the bag when needed.

So far I'm pleased.

----------- Red Oxx replies: thanks for the tips and the compliments, have you tried using a Red Oxx Nomad or Lil Roy as a packing cube? Your Air Boss will thank you.

Red Oxx "No Bull" Warranty

As time rolls a ceaseless course, only the genuine guarantee remains. The mountains will persist, the oceans are bound to endure and Red Oxx will continue to be rugged, reliable, and tough.

To the depths of the Amazon basin to the peaks of the Himilayas, Red Oxx Manufacturing is infallible.

Red Oxx Bags are guaranteed forever, be sure to include them in your will.

Made in U.S.A.

Red Oxx Bags are handcrafted in Billings, Montana. U.S.A.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Air Boss carry-on legal?
Yes, the Air Boss is carry-on legal on most jet airlines.

What's the best way to pack the Air Boss?
The bundle packing method is recommended. Watch the packing video under the Videos tab or download the printable Air Boss luggage packing diagram (Pdf file).

What's the difference between the Air Boss and the Sky Train?
There are two principle differences between the Air Boss and the Sky Train: The Sky Train has retractable backpack straps and opens flat lengthwise whereas the Air Boss opens flat like a book.

Will the Air Boss fit under the seat in front of me?
Cramming your Air Boss under the seat is not recommended.

Will the Eagle Creek packing cubes fit the Air Boss?
Why not use our Nomad Shave Kit, Lil Roy Gadget Bag or Tri-fold Toiletry bag as packing cubes? You can color co-ordinate them to your preference and they come with useful carry handles. The Tri-Fold Toiletry Kit is also a brilliant shave kit organizer due to its three individual zippered mesh pockets and unique fold-open-flat hanging design.

How many pounds will the Air Boss weigh when packed?
It depends on what you pack. A typical 3-5 day load will weigh about 20-25 pounds.

How many days of travel can I fit in the Air Boss Carry-on?
Most travelers can get about 3-5 days with a typical load. Some adventurous types have been able to pack from a week to ten days! It all depends on how you pack and what you pack.

Where do I pack my laptop?
You can use the center compartment. We recommend that you use a padded neoprene sleeve to protect your laptop.

What's the best way to pack footwear?
Sole-to-sole to minimize the dirt and placed in the middle compartment inside a plastic bag.

Can I change the logo color?
Sure. Simply order your favorite color Logo Patch and sew it on yourself. Red Oxx cannot change the patch colors for you.

Can I order a bag without the logo?
Logo Patches are centered using a hole punch. If you remove the patch, there will be a hole in the bag that could cause a snag. Red Oxx cannot build a bag without a logo as this would disrupt the efficiency of the production line. Feel free to use a permanent marker to color the patches.

Is there a way to securely lock my bag?
Sure, you can use any TSA approved bag lock or try our Cable Lock for a simple, semi-secure solution. Watch this video where CEO Jim Markel demonstrates how you can use the cable that comes with the product Dog Tag price tag to secure your bag. Keep in mind, any determined thief can still cut open a soft sided bag with a sharp knife.

Are there any interior pockets?
The Air Boss has three large internal compartments. There are no internal pockets.

My zipper broke. The teeth have separated. Do I send it in for warranty repair?
No need for warranty repair, fix it yourself. Check out this video where CEO Jim Markel shows how easy it is to do it yourself.

Can you ship USPS?
Yes, Red Oxx will ship USPS upon request. Simply state, "Please ship USPS" in the cart comments during checkout and we will adjust your billing accordingly.